Wavelength Budgeting for Optical Filters
Considerations when specifying transition pass bands, blocking bands, and transition widths include filter manufacturing tolerances, thermal tolerances and source/detector variations among other characteristics. These factors must be taken into account properly and completely to achieve the spectral performance required for an application.
There are a few key application uses and filter manufacturing parameters that influence the spectral width of dead-band. An essay by Iridian Spectral Technologies discusses these parameters and how they consume the wavelength budget for optical filters.
The factors considered comprise two groups, namely application influences and manufacturing influences.
Application influences on wavelength budget:
- Operating temperature range
- Operating angle of incidence and angle range
- Polarization
- Source/laser wavelength variation
Filter manufacturing influences on wavelength budget:
- Filter design
- Wavelength targeting
- Coating non-uniformity
To read read the entire essay, which includes a sample budget calculation, click here.
To request more information or a quotation for Iridian products, contact IL Photonics.